Tuesday, June 21, 2011

A Chanel-style jacket

Going through my winter clothes yesterday I came across a few numbers that I hadn't posted here yet. Including this jacket. It's really beyond me why I haven't photographed and written about this before since I was, and am very proud of it. I think it falls into that sad category of being too good to wear. You know, very expensive fabric, poured my heart 'n soul into making it and all... adds up to "too scared to wear it in case something terrible happens to it". I know, tosh right? One should wear one's clothes. I do believe that, even if I sometimes have trouble practising what I preach...I made it about ... oh, three or four years ago? (not sure now :D ) Mum and I had been to Melbourne together and visited a few fabric stores including Astratex, and I bought this beautiful pure wool woven fabric, knowing I wanted to make a Chanel style jacket out of it. I also bought the fabric for this skirt from the same place, yes it is a store packed with truly lovely and luxurious, if pricey fabrics. Fabrics for garments you want to last a lifetime...I used Vogue 7975, view C, although without the pockets. I had bought plenty of the fabric, but once I had lined up and matched up those distinctive woolly lines in the weave to cut out my pieces there wasn't even enough left for pockets! And besides, the fabric is bulky, and furthermore the look of it is so busy and intense with the woven details I really decided pockets would be overkill for this jacket.It is lined with a very thin and floaty grey silk, mostly hand-stitched in place, and all edges finished with a rather Renaissance, wide and intricately twisted, black braid from Fabulous Fabrics. This is entirely hand-stitched in place and mitred around each corner. There is no jacket closure.It is a lush jacket, is it not? The fabric is veeery over-the-top and extravagant, a more luxurious look than I am used to wearing much. The year I first made it I was wearing it with jeans to tone down the whole opulence of it, but for today to show it off for the first time here I wanted to dress it up just a leettle bit more. But still with the plainest of garments; a white shirt and my black Karl Lagerfeld skirt. Since he is the creative designer of Chanel it seemed fitting, n'est ce pas?And, when I joined Burdastyle I kinda half-vowed to myself I wouldn't post my old projects there. But I am so newly chuffed with this one I think I might just break my own rule, just this once.... :)

26 comments:

Oh, Carolyn, that is stunning. Divine. Wow, perfection and it looks so fabulous the way you've styled it. Yeah, I do get "too nice" at least in this case. You need more ladies at lunch opportunities, like our equivalent of the DAR. ;)

I love the shape of that jacket - I bet it does look fabulous with jeans too- I love the idea of the juxtaposition - funnily enough I just suddenly thought I'd love to see it with something really trashy - that would be fun - but I bet you don't have anything trashy in your wardrobe.

So glad the jacket is getting out and about more. I'm sure it was getting very lonesome in your wardrobe.

I get the 'it's too nice' to wear bit but you should wear it more it's so nice. It has a nice shape to it, not so boxy as some. I've always wanted to try a chanel style jacket. It's definitely on my 'to do' list after seeing yours.

Your jacket is beautiful. I have that pattern cut out for a muslin right now so you have inspired me to get on with it. My fabric is just a bargain boucle'from Spotties, but I'm not brave enough to try anything more expensive. I hope it looks as good as yours when I'm finished.

I don't know what I love more... the fabric, the style...that gorgeous lining and yummy trim! SO many fantastic qualities in a jacket you'll wear forever. So wear it more! It's gorgeous on you and goes with SO many things! Luxe stuff. :)

Wow, the jacket is stunning. You NEED to wear it more often! I know what you mean though, I tend to keep my prettiest and nicest clothes in the closet and never wear them, thinking that something horrible will happen to them (you know, oil stains, pasta sauce or what have you).

Gorgeous! I do understand the "too good to wear" classification, but on the other hand - aren't better quality fabrics supposed to wear better, therefore last longer, etc., etc.? Using this line of reasoning - you should wear this jacket as often as possible, because it will add a note of distinction to so many outfits.

Thanks for breaking your rule! This jacket ist phantastic and completed with this skirt it looks just great! I love Chanel like jackets and Monsieur Lagerfeld is one of my favourite designers. You come close to him (with a little twinkle).

Thank you so much for your comments!No Terri, i didn't put a chain in the bottom of the jacket, but it hangs perfectly well without one. It sits quite stiff and firmly and does not curl up at the edges at all. That is thanks to the thickness and high quality of the fabric, I think...